Q:	What does a "Z" mean on the parent viewer?
A:	I enter a "Z" in the gradebook for a student after I have graded the assignment for all students, but that particular student has not turned in the assigment (on time). The Z figures in the grade as a zero. Late assignments are graded at 50% credit (unless due to an absence) and entered at my earliest convenience.

Q:

Do you accept late work?

A:

I accept late work at 50% credit until the day of that units assessment (test, project due date, etc). After we have completed the unit, I no longer accept work for that unit. Exceptions to accepting late work: 1)if we grade an assignment in class & the student is present (& just didn't do the work) I do not accept the assignment late. 2)Some assignments given at least one week in advance may not be accepted late.

Q:	What kind of assignments make up a student's grade?
A:	The following assignments make up a student's grade: tests, quizzes, quarter notebook, worksheets, vocabulary, daily class or homework assignments, formative assessments, long or short term projects, BPP points, etc. Some assignments are graded upon completion and effort, but many are graded upon accuracy.

Q:	How do you prefer to be contacted?
A:	Probably the best way to contact me is by email and let me know if you would like a return call or email. Of course, I am available by telephone during my conference hour and before or after school.

Q:	How do I know when an assignment is due?
A:	I'm trying to improve adding that information to the calendar. Students are told verbally and due dates are written on the board in advance. Daily assignments are generally due either at the end of the hour or the next day. Vocabulary is due the day we take our vocabulary quiz. The due date is generally written/typed on any longer-term assignments.

Q:

Do you give extra credit?

A:

I usually offer extra credit 1-2 times per quarter. The type of extra credit offered usually consists of community service (to show citizen responsibility) or an extension activity of the subject we are currently studying. These may include a trip to the Missouri History Museum, crossword puzzles, or other exension activities either part of or in addition to a regular assignment. Students should not count on extra credit to inflate their grade. Extra credit is due at the time the teacher indicates and is NOT accepted beyond the due date or late. No exceptions.

Q:	Where do I find assignments that I missed?
A:	I put copies of assignments in folders in subject matter (U.S. History or Government) labeled crates. The crates sit on a table in the classroom. I will attach many assignments to the calendar, but some may not be attached because of copyright rules.

Q:

What are super stars?

A:

Super stars are new for the 2008 2nd semester and I'm very excited about rewarding students in this manner. Each time a student receives an A on a test or quiz, their name is placed on a star. New to 2nd semester 2010: those students who receive an A for the quarter will have their name placed on a star. The stars are hung on the board/wall. At the end of each quarter, I will put the stars in a drawing. At least One U.S. History student and one American Government student will each win a prize-ussually a movie ticket or gift card (winning gift cards will be subject to vendor donations this year-thanks to Applebees, TGIFridays, & Wehrenberg Theaters at Mid Rivers Mall for their donations for 1st semester).

Q:

When you show grades in class, sometimes there's a green "E" or a red "U" in the assignment box. What does this mean? Do I have to make up the work if there's a green "E"?

A:

A green "E" or red "U" will show up in an assignment box if I put in a due date for the assignment and you are absent on that date. Whether the absence is excused (green E) or unexcused (red U) is determined by the attendance office, not the teachers. Yes, you still have to make up the work if there's a green E. The absence may have been excused, but you are still responsible for any work you missed. The school rule applies-you have one day for every day you were absent to make up absent work. A change in board policy now states that work missed during an unexcused absence will now be accepted. Late work policy still applies.

Q:	What does it mean when I see an "x" in the box under an assignment?
A:	An "x" means that I have excused the student from completing the assignment. The "x" does not average in to the grade either positively or negatively.

Q:	Do you attach all assignments to the calendar?
A:	Unfortunately, copyright laws prevent me from attaching all assignments to the calendar. Our calendars are not password sensitive so that only students enrolled in our classes have access. Therefore, any copyrighted material (that we haven't been given permission to post) may not be attached.

Q:

Since a classroom set of textbooks are used, are students allowed to check out books?

A:

NOTE: I have now issued all students a book. Yes. There may be times when students do not finish their work in class and need to check out a textbook. The students are allowed to check out a book overnight. (note: if I see a pattern of the student needing to check out a book because they are not using their class time wisely, I will be contacting the parent). If the student fails to return the book, the lost book fee applies to that student for the replacement cost of the book. IF your teen is struggling and you/they feel they need a book checked out to them for the year, the student just needs to talk to me and I'm happy to assign them a book. They will still be assigned a book to use in the classroom as long as we have enough books available. I wish we had enough books to have both a classroom set and a book checked out to each individual student, but we do not have enough books to do so.